INTO THE UNKNOWN

WILDERNESS

Number 55 of 71 + 7 Giant Editions to date.

By David Thompson

Leisure, March 2008

Robert Parker ventures into the vast unknown to study new species of plant and animals in the name of science. He’s thrilled when a young half-breed named Zach King invites him back to his family’s secluded valley in the Rocky Mountains. But Parker’s about to find out he’s not the only newcomer. Three murderous prospectors have heard there’s a fortune in gold on the King’s land, and they’ll do anything to get it. They’ve heard how tough the King’s are, and they’re well prepared for that. But they haven’t counted on the grit of one determined greenhorn…

This is the second book in the Wilderness series to be written in the first person and it works extremely well. The story is told through the eyes of Robert Parker, a man who almost refuses to see danger in both man and beast, therefore putting him in many perilous situations. 

It was very interesting to see how Parker reacted and related to both Zach King and Blue Water Woman. In fact, it was great to see the latter taking such a central role. Even though Parker and Blue Water Woman come from very different backgrounds and cultures it soon became very apparent that they shared a common trait, that of their enjoyment of the natural world and a respect for the animals that inhabit it.

Of course, the story isn’t all about admiration for the wilderness it is also a story of greed and the lengths some people will go to in their quest to find gold, no matter who has to suffer in their hunt to find it. Something Parker struggles to accept and comprehend. It was fascinating to read that it wasn’t Zach King who teaches Parker the reality of this aspect of life but Blue Water Woman.

Into the Unknown has everything, touching moments of gentleness, savage moments of violence, and moments of humour. All this combines in a beautifully balanced and well written story that was a joy to read.

David Thompson is a pseudonym used by David Robbins and he still puts out books in this series today under his own name.

In October 2022, Piccadilly Publishing made Into the Unknown available as an ebook together with book 56 in series, In Darkest Depths, the cover of which you can see below.

Love and Cold Steel

WILDERNESS #70

By David Robbins

Mad Hornet Publishing, December 2018

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Evelyn King yearns to get hitched. Eager for her dream to come true, she won’t let anything stand in her way.

But the frontier has many dangers. Killers and hostiles and beasts abound.

As Evelyn is reminded when she and the man she loves run into a pack of two-legged wolves…and something far worse.

At last another Wilderness book has appeared, two years after the previous title, The Avenger. Since Leisure Books closed David Robbins has been publishing new Wilderness books under his own name rather than the pseudonym of David Thompson.

How I tried to read this book slowly, to savour every word, every scene, but my ambition failed miserably as each short chapter ended with a question or cliff-hanger that made it virtually impossible to put the book down as I just had to know what happened next.

Love and Cold Steel could be described as two separate storylines running parallel to each other – Evelyn and Dega’s dangerous travail to reach Bent’s Fort and hopefully find a preacher to marry them, and the tale of a wagon train and it’s guide, Quay, to solve the mystery of his gruesome discoveries that threaten all the travellers lives – although you know at some point these gripping tales are going to converge in some way that will intensify the already deadly situations the main characters find themselves in.

Fans of the Wilderness series, and/or David Robbins writing style will know what to expect in the way the story is told; the how are they going to get out of that scene endings already mentioned, the endless struggle of man and women to understand each other which often results in laugh-out-loud moments, the witty dialogue which again left me grinning much of the time, the desperate savage fights to survive – both against man and beast – which are vividly written and plotlines that will keep you guessing to the end.

Wilderness 70 might have been a long time coming but it certainly lived up to my expectations and I believe it should be enjoyed by all western fans, especially those who like the mountain man era. All I can hope is that David Robbins doesn’t keep us waiting quite so long before he gives us another instalment in this excellent series.

The Avenger

WILDERNESS #69

By David Robbins

Mad Hornet Publishing, December 2016

Zach King has given up the ways of the warrior. The woman he loves is about to give birth, and he intends to be the best father he can be.

Little does he know that he is being stalked. From out of his recent past comes an avenger. A man who has vowed to make Zach pay for killing his brother.

A new birth should be a time of joy. Instead, Zach and his family find themselves ensnared in a web of deception and peril.

The avenger lives by one rule. ‘Eyes for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.’ EXODUS 21:24

It’s been a while coming, but at last David Robbins has given us a new Wilderness book. Over the last few entries of this long running series Louisa, Zach’s wife, has been pregnant and now is the time for her to give birth. The Avenger isn’t the only deadly problem facing Zach at this time, there is also a female grizzly with cubs, and it’s the bear that will create some of the most breath-taking scenes in the book.

Like in many of David Robbins’ books the more horrific scenes are balanced with humour and that is certainly the case with this story. Shakespeare as usual having most of the best lines, indeed his comments making me laugh out loud at times. Seeing Zach trying to adapt from the ways of the warrior to being a father also bringing a smile to my face.

David Robbins lets us in on the Avengers plans and it’s the anticipation of discovering how Zach will deal with him once this vengeance driven man plays his hand that makes this book such a difficult to put down read. You don’t need to have read any of the earlier books to understand why The Avenger is set on killing Zach as David Robbins includes enough background information to explain this.

The Avenger is a book that should be enjoyed by all fans of this genre and it is definitely a must read for all followers of the Wilderness series.

Some people seem a little confused that the Wilderness series is now coming out with a new author name, rather than David Thompson, so I’d just like to add that Thompson and David Robbins are one and the same, the former being a pseudonym used by the latter.

Savage Hearts

WILDERNESS #68

By David Robbins

Mad Hornet Publishing, November 2014

Nate and Winona King thought they were doing the right thing when they ventured deep into the Rockies to return a little girl to her people.

Little did they imagine it would put Winona and the girl in peril for their lives and pit Nate against ruthless enemies.

At last, another Wilderness book, and one that adds a neat twist to the future of the King’s lives, one I didn’t see coming, but more of that later.

As many will have noticed this, and the previous book, The Gift, are being put out under the authors’ real name, David Robbins, instead of the pseudonym David Thompson that was used when the series was published by Leisure Books.

The book features a tribe unknown to me previously, the Tukadukas, and David Robbins ignited my interest with the unusual hunt that brings them together in this story for me to search for more information on them.

As fans of the series will already know, David Robbins often uses the strength of the family bond, their love for each other, that will see them risk everything to save each other, and this story is no different and that is what leads to the twist ending I mentioned earlier.

The book seems to have two storylines to begin with but you just know these seemingly separate threads will come together violently, and when the King’s get split up the tale gets more complicated and becomes a race against time.

With very strong male and female leads, terrific dialogue often spiced with humour, and savage action scenes, this story builds to a spectacular ending that will alter the King’s lives.

Due to the ending fans of the series will not want to miss this chapter in the King family story. If you’ve never read a Wilderness book before then this is an excellent place to start, to get to know Nate and Winona King and discover how much they are willing to sacrifice for each other.

All I can now hope is that David Robbins doesn’t make us wait quite so long before the next book is published.

Also available as an ebook.

Wilderness 67: The Gift

By David Robbins

Mad Hornet Publishing, July 2013

Nate King’s daughter is sixteen and in love. She conspires to trick her father and sneak away with the warrior who has claimed her heart.

Only they don’t know that four killers are on the loose, slaughtering settlers and anyone else they come across.

Now it’s a race against time as Nate tries to find his headstrong pride and joy before the killers do.

At last, the return of the Wilderness series, something I, and many other fans, have been patiently waiting for. Now published by Mad Hornet Publishing and put out under the authors’ real name, David Robbins, instead of the pseudonym of David Thompson.

Filled with excellent descriptive prose that puts you right into the wilderness, sharing the dangers of the wild, feeling the power of emotion through both fear and love, this book once more proves just why the series is held in such high regard by both male and female readers.

Switching between the various groups of characters regularly means David Robbins often leaves them in cliff-hanger situations which urge the reader to keep turning the pages. Action scenes steal your breath and make you wonder just how they can escape alive, just witness Zach being trapped up a tree whilst a grizzly strives to make him its next meal to see what I mean.

Through all the tense situations there is plenty of cracking dialogue, some of which made me laugh out-loud, mainly whilst Dega, the Indian Evelyn King is in love with, tries to make sense of the white man’s language he is struggling to learn.

And what of the gift of the title? Sorry but I cannot reveal that here, other than say it will get you thinking.

Once again David Robbins doesn’t disappoint and strengthens my belief that this is one of the best western series being written today. Let’s just hope it isn’t too long before the next Wilderness book is released.

The Gift is available as both an ebook and paper book through Amazon, and will be for sale through other book sellers soon.

Wilderness #66

GARDEN OF EDEN

By David Thompson

Dorchester, September 2011

Shakespeare McNair has always been happiest when living in the fringes of the frontier, ever pushing the boundaries of exploration. When an old friend tells him of a valley undisturbed by the hand of man, he just can’t resist the temptation. And so he sets off to find it with Nate King, Nate’s wife, and his own wife, Blue Water Woman. But they are about to find out that every Garden of Eden has serpents lurking in the shadows. In this valley, it’s a two-legged enemy – one that slays all intruders.

At long last Dorchester has published the latest two Wilderness stories, Seed of Evil and Garden of Eden, in a single trade paperback, the cost of which is very similar to what you would have paid if both books had been published separately as regular sized paperbacks.

Both are available as ebooks too, with Seed of Evil having been available this way for sometime, and that was how I read it when it first came out and why I’m not reviewing it alongside Garden of Eden. My review of Seed of Evil can be found here.

Garden of Eden provides a lot of suspenseful reading as the King’s and McNair’s travel into an unknown valley and find themselves being stalked by ‘something’. Fleeting glimpses and strange tracks bring rise to fears and then a desperate struggle to escape the valley. You’ll have to find out just what it is that lives here for yourself, as I don’t want to reveal who or what they are here. I will say that I have seen comment by the author that they are mentioned in books that deal with Indian Legends.

As expected from the Wilderness series this story offers everything you could want: a fast moving story that’s filled with tension, action, cracking dialogue, and lots of humour. This story also reveals more of Blue Water Woman’s past, which leads to this usually in control woman being taken over by a killing rage. Why? Again you’ll have to read the book to find out.

Now, I, and the many, many other fans of this great series can only hope that Dorchester doesn’t take quite so long to publish the next two books in the series.

Wilderness Giant Edition #2

SEASON OF THE WARRIOR

By David Thompson

Leisure, June 1993

The Wild Land: Savage and dangerous, the unmapped territory west of the Mississippi presented constant challenges to anyone who dared venture into it. Yet as the cities of the new country grew into overcrowded metropolises, a young man had to head to the unexplored region if he hoped to fulfil the great American Dream of liberty.

The Courageous Spirit: Undaunted by the countless threats that imperilled them, Nathaniel King and other brave mountain men struggled to build a life unfettered by the corruption of society. It was a fight to the death, and only the strong could hope to survive.

The Never-Ending Battle: When a group of English travellers journeyed into the Rockies, they had no defense against the fierce Indians, deadly beasts, and hostile elements. If Nate and his friend Shakespeare McNair couldn’t save them, the young adventurers would suffer unimaginable pain before facing certain death.

This, the second Wilderness Giant Edition, fits chronologically after book number fourteen in the regular series, and proves to be a book filled with danger, be it from Indians or nature. One of the most memorable scenes being when the travellers are caught in the middle of a buffalo stampede.

This is a book packed with action and incident that explores the way different types of people view each other, such as the so called civilized and those who live in the wild, and the differences in the way of life of those of different skin colour.

The book is filled with colourful and memorable characters, strong and weak in both sexes. One of my favourites has to be the artist, Eric Nash, who undergoes many changes throughout the course of the story. It’s also his eagerness to learn and to run before he can walk that nearly sees the death of many of the group on numerous occasions.

As well as lots of exciting confrontations the book also contains some terrific dialogue, often witty, often sarcastic, usually coming from Shakespeare McNair as he manages to baffles just about everyone at some point with his quotes from the Bard.

The book ends with the Kings and Shakespeare many miles from their homes and the author (David Robbins) adds a historical note that explains what happens to other characters.

Note: Those who are new to this series might like to know that the third Giant Edition: Prairie Blood, which date wise was published after book #19, was originally intended to be published directly after Season of the Warrior, and covers the Kings and Shakespeare’s journey home. Due to something that happens in Prairie Blood, that proves to be a major event in the King’s life, I’d suggest you read it before you read book #15 in the regular series.

Wild West eMonday

Tomorrow, Monday January 3^rd, is Wild West eMonday.

Like Wild West Mondays of the past this event is an attempt to gain more recognition for westerns by making publishers and booksellers aware there is a demand for western fiction. What is being asked is that all fans of western fiction buy a western ebook on this date.

Ebooks are fast growing in popularity and there are many westerns to choose from. There are classic westerns now available in electronic form, there are new authors to choose from, and new stories available from established authors. Many ebook versions are cheaper than the paper books too.

I review quite a few Black Horse Westerns here, and these a quite expensive to buy. The price on the books now is £13.25. Very shortly it’ll be possible to buy four of these books as an ebook bundle for £10.00 - four for less than the price of one book, and no shipping charges either.

Ebooks have allowed old books to be re-published. No longer will you have to search the second-hand bookstores for an old tatty, creased and yellowed copy of a book you’ve long wanted. You’ll be able to store an entire series – in fact many, many series – on one handheld device that weighs less than a single paperback book. The recently launched ebook version of the classic first book in the Edge series is now available for instance, and if it sells well enough could see the entire series of 61 books come out in this form.

As I said above there are new books only available as ebooks. With Dorchester switching to ebooks rather than paper, the only way to read new books from their authors is in electronic form. Books such as the fourth book in Robert Randisi’s Lancaster series, Crow Bait, and the 65^th book in David Thompson’s Wilderness series, Seed of Evil, for example.

Then there’s the new Rancho Diablo series by Colby Jackson – a pseudonym shared by Mel Odom, James Reasoner and Bill Crider – the second book having just been released. 

Westerns which cross genres are now becoming more readily available too, such as Peter Brandvold’s Bad Wind Blowing – which sees the dead coming back to life, came out in December 2010. (Expect a review of this here soon)

So please take a few minutes tomorrow to search through the many western ebooks available and spend a few pounds or dollars on supporting this event and help keep the western fiction genre alive.

Wild West eMonday is spearheaded by Gary at the Tainted Archive, there you will be able to find more details, along with many western related posts, including a free ebook, articles and interviews. You will also be able to read a new short story, Melanie, by Edward A. Grainger, which sees the return of Marshal Cash Laramie…

MELANIE

By Edward A. Grainger

This is a hard-hitting tale that deals with child abuse. It also highlights the frustrations of the law not being able to intervene in life within a person’s own home, no matter how bad this is. In fact Marshal Cash Laramie finds himself in trouble for attempting to help the young girl of the title, Melanie.

Edward A. Grainger has written a tale that will stick with the reader for a long time. Characterization is handled well within such a short story, easily making the reader feel emotionally attached to them, be that wanting Laramie to find a solution to the problem, feel anger at the law and hate towards Clem Stewart.

There’s also some excellent tension towards the end as Melaine searches for her uncle in the dark, fearing what could be lurking out there, and what her uncle’s reaction to her might be. The end is well crafted and offers a neat surprise.

Melaine is well worth taking the time to read.

Edward A. Grainger is a pseudonym used by David Cranmer, editor of Beat to a Pulp. His first Laramie story, Cash Laramie and the Masked Devil, can be found in the western anthology A Fistful of Legends.

Wilderness #65

SEED OF EVIL

as by David Thompson

Leisure, September 2010

The King family has always appreciated the remoteness of their valley deep in the Rocky Mountains. There, they have all the freedom they could desire. But the long trip to Bent’s Fort for supplies is one of the few downsides. All that changes when a newcomer opens the first general store in their region. The mountain men and scattered settlers are delighted—until people start to disappear, and dark whispers hint that a seed of evil has taken root in the wilderness.

Right from the opening chapter David Thompson hooked this reader with the question of just what kind of evil does the main bad guy dish out. Of course this question isn’t answered until much further into the story and by that time other plot threads had pulled me deeper into the tale.

Seed of Evil sees the return of one of my favourite characters from the series: Chases Rabbits, his struggle to understand the white tongue adding many laugh-out-loud moments. And for those who’ve followed this series for a long, long time, Chases Rabbits isn’t the only return, this other proving to be even more of a welcome surprise, although I’m not going to reveal who that is here, you’ll have to read the book yourself to discover just who it is.

One of the trademarks of this series is the author’s inclusion of very strong female characters and this book is no exception. Here we have a group of Crow women that soon become the characters the whole story revolves around. Raven On The Ground being particularly memorable.

I’ve already mentioned that there are moments of humour within the story but this wouldn’t be a Wilderness tale without many encounters with the more savage side of life, be they threats from human foes or wildlife, and this book offers plenty of those too. In fact Geist’s sudden, and unexpected, killing of one of the Crow women sure shows how brutal this series can be at times and in my mind is one of the strengths of the Wilderness books.

Once again David Thompson (David Robbins) provides the reader with another excellent entry into this fast moving, action packed, series.

Note: As has been discussed on many blogs and message boards Dorchester/Leisure has stopped producing mass market paperbacks, switching to ebooks with September’s publications. I read Seed of Evil on my computer using the free Kindle reader download provided by Amazon, which proved to be very easy to use.

Wilderness #64

DEVIL MOON

as by David Thompson

Leisure, June 2010

Nate King has tried to teach his daughter Evelyn all about the dangers of the wilderness. She is certainly no stranger to predators on the prowl. Even on what’s supposed to be a carefree picnic, she and her friend Dega need to be on their guard. Because something is stalking them, a relentless foe just waiting to pounce.

If Evelyn has learned the lessons of her father, she might just escape. But what about the things Nate neglected to warn her of? What about the enemy who disguises itself as a friend and sneaks in at the most vulnerable moment? Can anyone ever be truly prepared for that?

David Thompson (David Robbins) takes a slightly different approach to how this book is presented, choosing to divide it into three parts, two short sections that don’t involve the King’s, and then the final part, that covers most of the book, bringing all we’ve met during the earlier parts together – at least those still alive – that in turn leads to a nail-biting climax.

There are many suspenseful sequences throughout the story as the creature stalks, and takes out, its prey. Many of these scenes could be equally at home in a horror story as a western and will surely have you holding your breath when Evelyn becomes the target. How can she possibly survive?

The story also continues the growing love between Dega and Evelyn, Dega’s struggle to understand the meanings of the white peoples language leads to many humorous moments and others that could end their relationship permanently.

The second paragraph above mentions an “enemy who disguises itself as a friend” and this could prove to end all of Evelyn’s – and Dega’s – dreams, but I’m not going to say anything else here as I don’t want to spoil the who and why for those who’ve yet to read the book.

Full of action, great dialogue and well-written descriptions, Devil Moon proves to be another excellent entry into this long-running series.

Oh yeah, and something on the back of the book proved to be a great, and very welcome, surprise to me!

Westerns on the Web

Just had a quick look around the web for all things western, so I thought I'd make a quick post to point you to some of the things you may have missed.

Henry has an excellent interview posted on his blog with film director Fred Olen Ray about his movie American Bandits: Frank and Jesse James. The interview contains lots of fascinating infomation about the problems of making westerns these days.

Craig has a post on Somebody Dies that should interest David Thompson's Wilderness fans - or those thinking of trying this long running series. He looks at two books in particular, #60 and #61 and offers some observations on the series in general.

By the way Craig, I really like your tag line "Support Living Authors!" Something we should all try to do me thinks.

And for those who enjoy westerns with a different slant, both books and film, check out Mark's blog for reviews and information on coming titles.

Wilderness #63

VENOM

as by David Thompson

Leisure, March 2010

It takes a lot of guts to carve a home out of the unforgiving wilderness in the Colorado Rockies. It seems something else always staked its claim first. And while some creatures are amenable to finding a new place to live and willing to move, others are not. Others are dangerous. And they’ll fight fang and sinew to keep what’s theirs. As Nate King and his family hold a cabin raising for new neighbors in their remote valley, they’ll have new enemies to face. Enemies that strike quickly and with just one hit can deliver an excruciating death.

A book that starts with an almost gentle pace, an air of happiness shown through the love of the various families that populate the King Valley have for their husbands, wives and children, and through friendship, as a new family is welcomed to the valley and everyone pulls together to build them a cabin. There’s plenty of light-hearted banter, much of which had me laughing out loud. The fears of Zach as he contemplates whether he will make a good father are well written and there are hints that Zach may find himself with woman trouble further down the line. All through this part of the book, though, David Thompson (David Robbins) keeps introducing events that will soon see the Kings, and friends, in a frantic struggle for life.

Once the rains come the book takes on a much darker tone. The threat of the rattlesnakes becomes reality and David Thompson comes up with many edge-of-the-seat situations that had me turning the pages fast. The sequences involving Evelyn and her horse in floodwater teeming with snakes really captures her fear well and provides tense reading at its best. If you’ve a fear of snakes this part will have your heart racing.

There is plenty of superb action as the various families battle the onslaught of snakes, and David Robbins prose makes for some extremely visual reading, Zach on the rampage being the highlight.

Venom is a terrific read for fans of the Wilderness series and should be on the reading list of anyone who enjoys well-written, entertaining, books that are a little different to the more traditional mountain man storyline.

Wilderness #62

THE TEARS OF GOD
as by David Thompson
Leisure, December 2009

Nate King knows how tough it is to survive in the rugged wilderness of the untamed frontier. That’s why he can never refuse to help someone not as familiar with the infinite dangers of the territory. But when he agrees to guide a freighter captain and his load through geyser country, he has no idea he’s stepping straight into the path of a Pawnee with a personal vendetta. No idea that their destination – the Valley of Skulls – will live up to its grisly name.

Continuing a storyline started in the previous book (although each stands alone as a complete story) this tale sees Nate King become the target of a vengeance seeking Pawnee warrior. This Indian, Kuruk, and his small band of followers, make for some very tough opposition for King.

The quest for revenge isn’t the only thread to this fast moving story, King has to guide the wagons to the Valley of Skulls which holds its own mysteries as well as a group of Shakers who have a very interesting outlook on life. The Shaker’s strong religious beliefs being counted by none-believer Maklin, which allows David Thompson (David Robbins) to write some powerful arguments as to the existence of God.

If the above wasn’t enough for King to contend with, David Thompson adds yet another threat to the mountain man’s life – and all the other characters – by including a natural phenomenon that proves to be the deadliest killer of them all, providing some exciting, tense, reading that adds a touch of horror to the story.

David Thompson’s smooth flowing style is, as always, fast paced, full of excellent descriptive passages, great dialogue, humour, memorable characters, and brutal action, making this book – and indeed the whole Wilderness series – a joy to read.

Wilderness #61

THE SCALP HUNTERS
as by David Thompson
Leisure, September 2009

Raised amid the rough terrain of the Rocky Mountains, Evelyn King always relished adventure. And a buffalo hunt sounded like a wonderful way to get it. Even better – she wouldn’t be under the watchful eye of her parents since she was going with their neighbors, a small band of Nansusequa Indians. But the members of their party aren’t the only predators on the plains. A gang of scalp hunters is heading to New Mexico Territory, collecting as many trophies as they can along the way. And Evelyn and her friends are a perfect target….

Books 58 and 59 followed Nate King as he helped some runaway slaves, book 60 explained what Zach King was doing at that time, so it only seems correct that David Thompson (David Robbins) now tells of Evelyn King’s battle for survival and her growing affections for Dega, during that same time period.

In fact the deepening affections that both Evelyn and Dega are feeling for each other form one of the main story threads throughout this book. As young love blossoms David Robbins spins a heart-warming tale of two young people experiencing feelings they’ve never known before, emotions they are unsure of how to act upon. This leads to some wonderful dialogue as they grow ever closer, at times adding moments of humour as Dega struggles to speak, and understand, the English language. But it also seems that not everyone they hold dear is keen on how this relationship is developing, making the reader wonder what is in store for this engaging couple.

But this would not be a Wilderness book without the constant threat of death from both nature and man. The scalp hunters of the title make for a formidable enemy for Evelyn and her Nansusequa companions. These hunters are brutal men who will stop at nothing to get what they want: their leader, Venom, having a particularly vile perversion that follows the scalping of his victims. This band of killers has its own problems too, in the form of leadership challenges: something that will play a savage part in the outcome of this novel.

As expected from David Robbins the book is a fast flowing read, full of cliff-hanger situations that ensure you keep reading. The balance between the violence and the tenderness of growing love is superbly done. And the inclusion of a wagon-train that perhaps seems inconsequential at the time turns out to have great importance to not just the end of this book but would seem to be setting up the next story, and thus, like all great serials, has this reader eager for the next book in the series.

Western Fiction News

Express Westerns have announced the listing for their second anthology. As yet untitled this collection will contain twenty-one short stories specially written for this book. The stories come from previously published authors and a handful of newcomers, one of the latter being the first story from sixteen year old Chantel Foster - writing as Peter Avarillo, an interview with Chantel can be found here. The book is to have an introduction by James Reasoner.

Dead Man Talking by Derek Rutherford
Lonigan Must Die! by Ben Bridges

Billy by Lance Howard

The Man Who Shot Garfield Delany by I.J. Parnham

Half a Pig by Matthew P Mayo

Bloodhound by Courtney Joyner

More Than Meets the Eye by Gillian F Taylor

Big Enough by Chuck Tyrell

One Day in Liberty by Jack Giles

Shadows on the Horizon by Bobby Nash

On the Run by Alfred Wallon

The Gimp by Jack Martin

Visitors by Ross Morton

The Nighthawk by Michael D George

Darke Justice by Peter Avarillo

Angelo and the Strongbox by Cody Wells

The Pride of the Crocketts by Evan Lewis

Crib Girls by Kit Churchill

Man of Iron by Chuck Tyrell

Cash Laramie and the Masked Devil by Edward A Grainger

Dead Man Walking by Ed Ferguson

If you'd like to read my thoughts on Express Westerns first anthology, Where Legends Ride, they can be found here.

If you're a fan of David Thompson's Wilderness series you may be interested to know that Leisure have begun publishing the series in special limited edition large print editions, each containing two books.

Leisure are also publishing the series in audio.

Davy Crockett #8

 CANNIBAL COUNTRY

as by David Thompson

Leisure, October 1988

Davy Crockett was driven by a powerful need to explore, to see what lay beyond the next hill. On a trip through the swamp country along the Gulf of Mexico, Davy and his old friend Flavius met up for the first time with Jim Bowie, a man who would soon become a legend of the West – and who was destined to play an important part in Davy’s dramatic life. Neither Davy nor Jim knew the meaning of the word “surrender,” and when they ran afoul of a deadly tribe of cannibals, they knew it would be a fight to the death.

Heading for home Davy Crockett and Flavius take a recommended route through the swamp country along the Gulf of Mexico. This is perhaps why this book stands out from the previous seven as all the action - and there’s plenty of that - takes place within these swamps, meaning the location for the book is totally different from the others, as is the wildlife encountered such as the alligators.

There are also suggestions of creatures of legend living deep within the swamps too.

Crockett and Bowie finding themselves taking on a tribe of cannibals allows David Robbins – writing as David Thompson - to include some particularly gruesome scenes into the story.

David Robbins also adds some interesting reading about Bowie, his family, and that knife!

The many cliff-hangers in this story, for all three main characters, Crockett, Bowie and Flavius, make this book very hard to put down, you just have to keep reading to find out what happens next and before you know it you find yourself on the last page, the last word. Unfortunately for fans of the Davy Crockett books it’s not only the end of this tale but also the series.

Did Crockett and Flavius make it home? You must read it yourself to find out.

Not only do I recommend this book but the whole series.

Wilderness #60

THE OUTCAST

as by David Thompson
Leisure, June 2009

The warrior was alone. After a bloody, unthinkable act, he’d been banished from his tribe. Now he was forced to survive in the wilds by himself. If only he at least had a woman… In a remote valley teeming with wildlife, he finds one. Desperate for companionship, regardless of the colour of her skin, he takes her. But this woman’s already been claimed. And her man, a wildcat named Zach King, won’t let her go without a fight – to the death.

David Thompson yet again creates a strong, powerful – yet tragic – character in The Outcast, a man who will long remain in this readers mind. David Thompson doesn’t reveal why this character is an outcast straight away but keeps hinting at his back- story thus adding an intriguing hook that ensured this reader would find this book difficult to put down. Once the reason for him being cast out of his tribe is revealed it helps explain why he kidnaps Lou instead of killing her as he first intends.

There are many humorous moments and comments to balance the more savage and heart rendering aspects of this story, such as the struggle for man and woman to understand each other’s way of thinking.

The strength of love, and the lengths that someone will go to in order to protect their loved ones is a strong element of this book – indeed the entire Wilderness series – and it isn’t just Zach who is affected with the abduction of Lou. Shakespeare is shocked by the near death of Blue Water Woman, and David Thompson (David Robbins) writes some very moving scenes as Shakespeare resists the urge to accompany Zach, in his search for Lou, and stay behind to tend to his wife.

The book is brim full of action too, as Zach attempts to track The Outcast and free his wife. The life threatening traps he has to avoid, the superbly described slide down the mountainside due to having to traverse treacherous talus. And if the battle of wits between Zach and The Outcast isn’t enough, unbeknown to either of them, death stalks them both in the form of another group of revenge seeking Indians that will cause further complications that have a savage and exciting part to play in the struggle to regain Lou’s freedom.

Does Zach manage to free Lou from her captor? That’s something I’m not prepared to reveal here, all I will say is the book has a violent and emotionally moving ending that may come as a surprise.

Davy Crockett #7

TEXICAN TERROR

as by David Thompson

Leisure, May 1998

When Davy Crockett and his old friend Flavius led a small party of settlers into San Antonio, all he expected was a sleepy Texican town. He didn’t realize San Antonio lived in terror of the vicious freebooters who pillaged the countryside and laughed even at the Spanish Army.

When the bandits kidnapped one of Davy’s party, they may have taken on more than they could handle. Davy’s tracking and fighting abilities were legendary throughout the West, and he would use every ounce of skill he had to hunt his human quarry through the Texas badlands – along a trail that could lead only to death.

Crockett, Flavius and the small group of people who survived the previous book arrive in San Antonio, and, as romance blossoms for two of the party, Crockett gets his first look at Texas. He likes what he sees until he finds that San Antonio is living in fear.

Another hit story in this great series. Another book of none stop action that is one of the trademarks of David Thompson. Brutal at times, funny at others, as the well-drawn characters struggle to survive.

The leader of the freebooters, ex-pirate Tar, is a worthy adversary for Crockett. I particularly liked his first appearance with head a-fire. Right from then you just know Davy is in for the fight of his life.

All the threads in the tale are tied up neatly by the end, as is to be expected of author David Robbins – writing as David Thompson.

And Davy’s promise to Flavius that they’ll definitely head for home after the terrors experienced in Texas just means I’ve got to read the last book in the series right away to find out if Flavius’ wish will come true.

Wilderness #59

ONLY THE STRONG
as by David Thompson
Leisure, March 2009

Nate and Winona King know the frontier is a dangerous place. Even more so for a family of runaway slaves. The Kings thought they had saved their new friends from the worst of their troubles, a gang of vicious slave hunters. But two of the hunters survived – and have hired a seasoned frontiersman and four killers to track the Kings and the runaways down. Nate and Winona continue to lead their party across the vast prairie to the far distant Rockies. Little do they realize that a pack of two-legged wolves are nipping at their heels…and that eventually the prairie will run red with blood.

This book continues a storyline begun in the previous entry in the Wilderness series, Cry Freedom.

David Thompson (David Robbins) hooks the reader from the word go, his superb use of cliff-hanger chapter and scene endings making it very difficult to put the book down. Not only do the King’s, and the family of slaves they are guiding to a new life, have to contend with a vicious pack of slave-hunters, they also have to deal with the added danger of the landscape and wildlife.

It’s the creatures that inhabit the wilderness that provided some of the most exciting moments in this story, both of Randa’s encounters with buffalo making for gripping reading.

David Thompson also reaches the reader’s emotions really well, as through all the family bickering and battles of wills, and the never-ending struggle for man and woman to understand each others way of thinking, comes a powerful sense of love, none stronger than that that sees Nate King become consumed by rage that leads to a savage and brutal killing spree.

Does the book have a happy ending for the King’s and the runaway slaves? I guess you’ll just have to read it and find that out for yourselves.

Davy Crockett #6

COMANCHE COUNTRY

as by David Thompson

Leisure, Feb. 1998

Davy Crockett was born to explore the wide-open country of the untamed wilderness. His unmatched skills and his need for adventure combined to make him a frontiersman like no other. And no other pioneer could have hoped to survive the dangers that Davy faced when he and his old friend Flavius tried to cross the vast Western Prairies.

A roaring wildfire and a rampaging buffalo stampede were excitement enough for Flavius, but Davy knew their troubles were just beginning when they came face-to-face with the rulers of the prairies…the dreaded Comanches!

Attempting to return to St. Louis Crockett and Flavius, still escorting Heather and Becky (see the previous book: Blood Rage) face the wildfire and buffalo stampede that, unknown to them, takes them way off course.

The book is filled with almost non-stop action, from the fires and buffalo, to being lost in the darkness, fever, being held captive and rescue attempts, not to mention treachery and lost horses.

So much in such a short book left me breathless, I don’t think the cliff-hanger chapter endings were needed to ensure that I would continue reading to find out what hardships the small group of travelers would face next.

I also liked how David Robbins – writing as David Thompson - balanced elements of the story such as Becky’s innocent views of the new country she finds herself in, the protection of her scared mother and Davy’s mistrust with the more violent situations.

David Robbins also includes information about Crockett’s past in such a way it’s not like a history lesson but a natural part of the story.

On reaching the end I found myself doing something that is rare for me and that’s immediately beginning the next in the series.